Sep. 28, 2012

Lyn Peterson at her Scarsdale home. / Joe Larese/The Journal News

Written by

Lyn Peterson

For The Journal-News

Existing cabinets may be able to be reconfigured and retrofitted. These uppers had their doors removed, and new moldings on the top and bottom made the open cabinets seem worthy. Dishes are always charming to look at. Cereal boxes -- not so much. / Courtesy of Lyn Peterson

The Expert

Lyn Peterson of Scarsdale is a seasoned interior designer and the owner of Motif Designs in Mount Vernon; 914-633-1170, www.motif-designs.com.

When it comes to decorative trims, sometimes less is just plain more. It's a kitchen, not a ballroom. / Courtesy of Lyn Peterson

Oops, we didn't budget for resodding the front lawn. Expect the unexpected when undertaking a major renovation. / Courtesy of Lyn Peterson

Not sure if my food smells like Bounce or my laundry smells like chicken. No matter how inconvenient, temporary kitchens are a must for months-long renovation. / Courtesy of Lyn Peterson

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Q: What are the most common mistakes people make in a kitchen renovation?

DONíT add too many decorative trim pieces. Grapevines, columns, pilasters and oversized crown moldings add up to too much. The kitchen already has a lot of ďstuffĒ: fridge, microwave, range, beverage center ó you get the picture. Itís a kitchen, not a cathedral.

DONíT go straight to a general contractor without some serious thought. If the project is significant in scope and youíre relatively short on experience, Iíd vote for hiring a professional to help translate your goals into a solid plan. They can often save money in the long run, sparing the expense of ripping out and redoing mistakes ó from the placement of an outlet to the height of a backsplash.

DONíT always go with the lowest bid. If one of the bids comes in lower ó tantalizingly lower ó than the others, make sure you double-check the references. You donít want the out-of-work desperate contractor just because he costs less; he may be out of work for a reason.

DONíT proceed with a project without meeting the person who will actually be on the job. You may interview the head of a firm, as I did, and then never see them again. For my first kitchen reno I met with a man with years of experience. Once I paid the deposit, he headed to Florida for the winter and I never saw him again. The work was actually done by two kids in a truck ó with their dogs in tow.

DONíT forget a checklist when checking a contractorís references so you donít forget to ask key questions (among others, timing, budget, change orders, cleanliness of the job site, and the clincher: would you hire this person again?).

DONíT omit the logistics questions when hiring a contractor. Ask them: What days and times will the workers be there? Will the floors be covered and with what? Dumpsters and toilets are also part of the process and you want to set the ground rules; that is unless you want to be carting out the trash and sharing your powder room.

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DONíT ignore your instincts when hiring a contractor. If a couple of bids come in close and the references for both check out, then go with your gut ó much like selecting a husband. After all, youíre going to be dealing with this person day in and day out for longer than youíd like.

DO visit the vendors. Even if youíve hired a designer, youíre going to want to put your eyes and hands on the many kitchen options available ó the appliances, the cabinetry and countertops, the handles and faucets. Go to as many local showrooms as available. The ergonomics of opening and closing a fridge or peering into an oven count for a lot. I had one very elderly customer who discovered that she simply wasnít strong enough for a Sub-Zero fridge.

DO get samples. Just living with a sample for a few days or a few weeks may influence your final decision. Besides, you need to see it in your home, with your light and your things.

DO plan for a temporary kitchen. If you know your regular kitchen will be out of commission for several months, create a makeshift kitchen with a a sink, a refrigerator and a microwave.

DO price the dream. You can always decide to eliminate items after the bid comes in. In my experience, things are less expensive if initially priced comprehensively. Add-ons (do we want a beverage center? a second dishwasher? a warming drawer?) tend to ratchet up the cost. Especially if they come post-contract signing.

DO insist on a weekly walk-through with the contractor. Weekly meetings enable you to monitor progress and conformance with the plans. Itís best to find out if they are doing anything you didnít expect before it goes too far.

DO factor in your height and the height of your countertop appliances before deciding where to mount your upper cabinets. Too high, and you may not be able to reach the second shelf, let alone the third. Too low, and your beloved coffeemaker may have to sit in front of the cabinets rather than tucked underneath. The range is 14 to 18 inches above the counter.

DO go with the flow! Construction is not a science, but rather a fluid process.